Quran's concepts change the trajectory of human mindset

The term "Iman" is not just a word but it has deep concept embedded in it, which must be clear in our minds and must descend into the depth of our hearts (49:14). Then only we will accept it as complete truth and we will be convinced about its reality in our heart. Thus, Iman on Allah is a profound concept. We say that Allah is one and there is no partner with Him. What kind of concept ensues from this in our mind? Does it positively affect our daily life and improve our overall behavior? In fact, Iman must create a revolution in our hearts and minds, and in the external world as well. Therefore, the concept of Iman is a fundamental concept and is extremely important, and it leads to correct concept of Allah.

If the Quranic concept of Allah enters our minds, then we can understand Deen. The Quran not only gives the correct concept of Allah but it also provides the true concept of human being. These two concepts provide the foundation of Deen. This is not given importance in our current practice of Islam. We say that we accept Allah and we are humans anyway. We also don't give any importance to the story of Iblis and Adam. The Quran says:

Allah is infinite and cannot be confined into space and time. Allah says in the Quran that I am there wherever you are (57:4); and that I am closer to you than your jugular vein (50:16). Therefore, the story of Adam and Iblis should be taken metaphorically not literally. The physical body of human is always controlled by his sharp animated emotions. So, it is humans who act as Iblis when overwhelmed by their fiery emotions.

Human consists of physical body and emotion

Adam's mistake was that he didn't keep his emotions under the divine order. His ego told that since the human body works under my control, so I am superior than the human physical body. What was his mistake? His mistake was that he said that I will operate my physical organs under my order because I have freewill. Whatever I want I will do. Then Allah told him that I had given an order and you disobeyed it. So, the correct system is that human ego must be under Allah's order and operate the physical body to establish Allah's order practically in human society. Why did Iblis refused when Allah asked him to prostrate? This was his ego's transgression. This was his egotism's superiority that did it.

Harmony among human body, human self, and Allah's orders

The emotion controls the body

Malaaikah's (مَلَائِكَةِ) objection in the creation of humans

Obviously it is the ego (using freewill) that will follow Allah's guidance then it need have no fear, and neither shall it grieve in the world. These are foundational concepts and these are necessary to understand the Quran. On the other hand, those who reject Our Guidance, they would lead a life of constant torment in this world and beyond. This then is a symbolic narrative of Adam's life and what it means.

This is a similitude story of Adam

Adam accepted his mistake, so there is chance of his reform:

But one who doesn't accept his mistake, there is no chance for his reform.

To blame Allah for one's own mistake

I shall come upon them from the front, from behind them, from their right and from their left. Then you will find very few of them, truly faithful to you.

Who I am to reject your message? Nothing happens without your order. So, you made me reject it. Without your wish nothing happens. You made me reject, then why are you holding me responsible for it? So, Iblis is blaming Allah for his disobedience.

The Universe operates on Allah's Laws

And Allah created human beings and gave His guidance and laws to run the human world. Again, He could change these laws but He said that He is not going to interfere in human affairs; that He has granted freewill and freedom of choice to humans and He is not going to take that away. It will be up to humans to follow Allah's laws or not to follow; but they will face the consequences of their actions (37:39). This will happen according to Allah's Law of Requital (52:16). This puts the responsibility on humans of their own actions. Actions according to the laws of Allah produce good results (2:5) and any action against Allah's law produce bad results and creates human suffering (2:39). All this puts the burden of responsibility on humans.

Quran's concepts change the trajectory of human mindset

Allama Iqbal explains it beautifully the conversation between Allah and Iblis. When Allah asked Iblis why did you refuse My order? Then Iblis says:

To say "haughtiness" was not possible in front of you But, well, my prostration was not written in your Will

Then Allah asked him:

When did this secret opened on you: before or after your denial? Iblis said "after," O Illumined Creator and Sustainer of the Universe

At this Allah looked at the angels and said:

His mean nature has taught Iblis crooked argument

He says it was not in Our Will for him to prostrate He is giving the name of his liberty, compulsion The Cruel one is saying his burning fire as smoke

Thus, there is no possibility of reform for those who do not accept their mistakes.

Allah clearly says that:

اعْمَلُوا مَا شِئْتُمْ

(41:40) - Do what you will. [Asad]

This is Allah's eternal law. He does not take away human freedom. It is the meanness of nature that humans give the name helplessness for their freedom.

The Quran says:

كَتَبَ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ الرَّحْمَةَ

(6:12) - Allah has willed upon Himself the law of grace and mercy. [Asad]

And:

إِنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الظَّالِمُونَ

(6:135) - Verily, never will We allow evildoers attain to a happy state! [Asad]

Further:

وَاصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

(11:115) - And be patient in adversity: for, verily God does not fail to requite the doers of good! [Asad]

But the three pronged attack on the hearts, minds, and sustenance of Muslim masses leave them virtually helpless prey to the modern Pharaohs, Hamans and Qaroons. According to them, it is predetermined who will get what, when and where. Therefore, if a rich person's dogs and cats enjoy gourmet food and a poor person's children die of hunger, it's okay, because everything is predetermined; that is what is written in fate. The very fact that Allah has endowed humans with freewill is sufficient to disprove predetermination:

1.The universe works precisely according to the laws decreed by Allah.

2. Human beings are endowed with freewill and, therefore, are responsible for their own actions. Every time one is confronted with a choice, one exercises one's freewill. But once a choice has been made, the result of that choice cannot be changed. The result is governed by Allah's law of requital. The operation of this law is immutable and does not change for anyone. Whatever one sows, that is what one is going to reap. This is the fundamental principle of life.

Allama Iqbal says:

If Islam is not present anywhere in world Then it does not mean that Islam has failed If we have left the Quran and gone astray Any nation can adopt it and will realize it

It has been done by our Prophet (PBUH) and Companions (R) before and therefore it can be done again. The Prophet (PBUH) is the supreme role model for all of humanity. This will be the highest Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) to follow.

May Allah give us the fortitude, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to follow the shining footsteps of the Prophet (PBUH). Then Allah guarantees that His cosmic forces will join us in our effort to achieve this goal: